Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Barrow - stepped barrow
Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Newgrange
- County
- Meath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 53.69185, -6.46742
- SMR number
- ME019-050----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1799 "Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Situated on a lower terrace on the S-facing slope of Newgrange ridge within Brú na Bóinne. It was recorded by Claire O’Kelly (1978, 50) as a circular ploughed out mound and designated A1. Images taken by Anthony Murphy using a drone-mounted camera in winter sunlight, and others taken by the National Monuments Service in the drought conditions of 2018 reveal the monument to be a circular area (int. diam. c. 20m) with an internal mound. The central platform is separated by a berm from an inner bank, which is separated by a second berm from an outer bank. The outer bank appears to have an external fosse (max. ext. diam. 39m E-W; 38m N-S), and the berms between the banks are wider at SW so that the central mound is displaced to the NE. The earthwork is probably a stepped barrow. (Condit and Keegan 2018, 91-2, Figs 83-85)
See attached Google Earth aerial photograph taken 05 October 2009, and photographs taken on 13th July 2018
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload/revision: 08 October 2025
References
Condit, T. and Keegan, M. 2018 Aerial investigation and mapping of the Newgrange landscape, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath. Interim Report. Available online
O'Kelly, C. 1978 (3rd ed.) Illustrated guide to Newgrange and the other Boyne monuments. Cork. Author.
Nearby in the register
- Hengeunder 1 mi
- Barrow - mound barrowunder 1 mi
- Linear earthworkunder 1 mi
- Standing stoneunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.